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RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 1
Contents
Our response to COVID-19 2
President’s review 4
Council members 8
Chief Executive’s review 12
Surgery 18
A transformative learning experience 26
Leading impactful research 42
Supporting healthcare and society 52
Professional training 64
International campuses 72
Enabling our vision 78
Appendices 91
This report covers RCSI’s operations during the period 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020.
Some photography featured pre-dates the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the cover: Leading impactful research – Natalie McEvoy, PhD candidate at the School of Nursing and Midwifery
and Clinical Research Nurse in the Department of Critical Care and Anaesthesia has harnessed her skills to get clinical
research studies on critically ill patients started promptly in response to the pandemic. Read more on page 36.
2 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
Support
for surgical
training and
practice
> National guidelines for
surgeons in COVID-19
> Curated COVID-19
web resource for
surgery
> Weekly webinars and
President’s letter
> Surgical trainee
interviews brought
forward by three
weeks
> Take-home skills kits
for surgical trainees
Our response
> Simulation facilities for
research on PPE
breathing apparatus
during surgery
to COVID-19
Resources for frontline healthcare workers
> “Conversations that matter” weekly webinars with the HSE
> GP-Surgeons Connect, with ICGP for rapid connection of GPs with
surgeon advisors
> Positive mental health training and resources
> Personal leadership and self-care podcasts
> Weekly e-zines to support our clinicians and alumni
> COVID-19 website resource hub
Supporting the national effort
> Supported HSE to deliver national contact tracing
training programme
> 3,066 users registered on Contact Management
Programme resource
> New system to provide up-to-date information on
the availability of critical care beds in ICU
> Over 20 RCSI medical students volunteered at
hospital intensive care units
> Provided training on prone positioning
> Upskill training on the use of ventilation equipment
> Researchers produced essential reagents and
buffers in RCSI labs to support testing
> RCSI COVID-19 newsletter to update politicians
RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 3
Strengthening
the healthcare
workforce
> Final medicine exams brought
forward enabling 312 future
doctors from 32 countries
to join the frontline
> 1,211 applicants from 38
countries completed overseas
Aptitude Test to register as a
nurse in Ireland
> Induction of 180 new interns
facilitated at simulation centre
> Final year physiotherapy
students completed exams early
Impactful research for
patients and frontline workers
> Investigating blood clotting abnormalities in
COVID-19 patients
> Clinical trial of a therapy for critically ill COVID-19
patients in intensive care
> Programme for facial PPE sterilisation
> Preventing facial pressure ulcers in healthcare staff
> Detecting COVID-19 infection using exhaled breath
condensate
> Study investigating pathogenesis of COVID-19
> New treatment regimens to reduce the severity of
infection
Continuity for our staff and students
> Business planning group established
> Rapid acceleration of digitally engaged learning
> TeleSim programme to simulate clinical training
> New satellite campus at Croke Park
> Smaller learning communities for students
> Regular Chief Executive and Dean communications to staff and
students
> #RCSItogether positive culture initiative to support wellbeing
> IT super users to support transition to remote working
Bringing expert-driven
information to the public
> RCSI spokespeople contributed to expert media
commentary and thought leadership
> Six-fold increase in domestic media coverage
totalling 3,441 media mentions January – June 2020
> Expert commentary and COVID-19 research
reached international media including New York
Times, The Guardian, BBC, Australia’s Nine News
Radio
> Resources to manage COVID-19 anxiety provided
through social media and website
4 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
President’s
review
Mr Kenneth Mealy, President
We are living through the most extraordinary public health crisis we have ever
experienced. The dedication of health care workers across the country has
been inspiring and we cannot overstate the sacrifice that has been made so that
COVID-19 patients can be cared for. I extend my deepest gratitude to Ireland’s
healthcare workers and I want to acknowledge, in particular, the ultimate sacrifice
made by healthcare staff who died after contracting the virus.
Numerous examples of leadership has been shown practice and surgical trainees.
and many issues have come to the fore including the
pivotal role of primary care in protecting the acute A comprehensive suite of resources was created and
hospital system from overload, the importance of curated for the RCSI website. We also launched a
the integration of community, secondary and tertiary webinar series aimed at addressing the issues of
care and the necessity for protected capacity for greatest concerns to surgeons at this time. The
scheduled surgical care. feedback has been overwhelming positive and the
series will continue over the coming months. A
I hope that some of the lessons learnt from the weekly message from the President sought to share
management of this crisis will inform health service meaningful updates to the surgical community and
planning and reform into the future. that too will continue.
Supporting surgeons Surgical training
Providing support to colleagues on the frontline Over the past year, the Surgical Training pathway
emerged as a core objective from the outset of the continued to innovate in response to evolving
crisis. We have sought to provide clear guidance and training needs.
share helpful resources to benefit surgeons in
RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 5
Providing an alternative opportunity to suitably Surgical research
qualified and experienced candidates to apply for Promoting surgical research remained an important
places in specialty training, the Equivalent objective for me during the year. I am firmly of the
Standards Route (ESR), was activated last year. view that data on healthcare outcomes should be at
the centre of decision-making in health policy.
The new Specialty Training Post Quality Standards
were launched across the 12 specialties in 2019. An important study from the Healthcare Outcomes
These standards set the benchmark for training Research Centre at RCSI and the National Clinical
site quality in line with the requirements of the Programme in Surgery was published in BMJ Open
College and the Medical Council’s criteria for in November. The study demonstrated an
quality assurance mechanisms in place at training association between surgeon volume and mortality
bodies. outcomes in emergency abdominal surgery,
showing that low volume surgical teams had
In September 2019, RCSI welcomed the first intake consistently higher mortality for emergency
to the Masters in Surgical Science and Practice. abdominal surgery than high volume surgical
Designed and led by Professor Oscar Traynor, the teams.
innovative programme covers the entire curriculum
for Core Surgical Training, in one year. Graduates These findings need to be considered by the
are prepared to commence surgical training in the Hospital Groups, HSE, National Clinical Programme
clinical environment at a more advanced level with in Surgery and at political level.
documented and verifiable knowledge, skills and
behaviours. Gender diversity
I am pleased that the implementation of the
Global surgery recommendations of the report by RCSI’s Working
I am delighted that Professor Mark Shrime was Group on Gender Diversity continued during the
appointed as O’Brien Chair of Global Surgery this year. It is particularly encouraging that the
year. Co-author of the ground-breaking Lancet proportion of female trainees commencing surgical
Commission Report on Global Surgery 2030, training has continued to grow.
Professor Shrime joins RCSI from Harvard Medical
School and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear In February, Ms Ailín Rogers, FRCSI, was announced
Infirmary, where he was Director of the Center for as the recipient of the first PROGRESS Women in
Global Surgery Evaluation. He will lead RCSI’s Surgery Fellowship. This prestigious bursary,
Institute of Global Surgery in its work to address funded by Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices
the provision of surgical care in low and middle- Companies, aims to give women surgeons the
income countries. opportunity to gain exceptional experience in their
chosen field, supporting their progression to
In February, the Institute of Global Surgery, in consultant. A second recipient will be chosen in
partnership with the College of Surgeons of East, 2021.
Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) and the
College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland (CAI), Healthcare engagement
launched a new multi-national anaesthesia The National Clinical Programmes in Surgery
partnership programme for East, Central and continued to collaborate positively with the offices
Southern Africa. This Department of Foreign of the HSE Chief Clinical Officer and the National
Affairs and Trade funded programme aims to Group Lead of the Acute Hospital Division, in
provide access to safer and more affordable facilitating and promoting ‘best practice’ in surgical
anaesthesia care for those in need of surgery in care.
the region.
Close cooperation between the clinical
programmes and the HSE led to the
implementation of measures to minimise the risk of
acquiring COVID-19. Guidance on the careful
planning of patient pathways, screening of patients
prior to surgery and thorough discussions with
I extend my deepest patients of the additional risks involved was
developed and communicated to surgeons.
gratitude to Ireland’s
healthcare workers.
6 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
As we moved through the first phase of the death sentence’, was delivered by Ms. Orla
pandemic and the community prevalence of the McCormack, MD FRCSI and Consultant General
virus declined, the clinical programmes worked Surgeon at the Mater Private Dublin.
with the HSE and the Department of Health to
develop guidelines for a phased return to planned Charter Day 2020
surgical services while also formulating a recovery We didn’t know then that the 2020 Charter Day
plan. would be the last in-person gathering for the surgical
community before the pandemic.
Millin Meeting 2019
Last October’s Millin Meeting addressed how The Friday Charter Day Meetings featured addresses
surgeons and surgical leaders across a range of and panel discussions under the theme of 'Choosing
specialisms in Ireland can manage risk in surgical Wisely'. Speakers included Laura Magahy, Executive
practice. Director of Sláintecare; Dr Tony Sparnon, President of
the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons; and
Keynote addresses were delivered by healthcare Professor Stephen Wigmore, Regius Professor of
leaders including Dr Cathal O’Keeffe, Head of Clinical Surgery, University of Edinburgh.
Clinical Risk, State Claims Agency Ireland who
spoke about learning from adverse events in order The first survey of accredited Acute Surgical
to advance patient safety. Dr Philip Crowley, HSE Assessment Unit (ASAU) patients was published by
National Director for Quality Improvement, asked if the National Clinical Programme in Surgery during
we are up for a true partnership to improve quality. the annual Charter Day event. The survey showed
Dr Cliona Murphy, Chair of the Institute of that their experience was overwhelmingly positive,
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists spoke to the with satisfactory wait times and clear communication
risky business of obstetrics and gynaecology and of their care plan. These units give patients faster
Professor Paul Burke, Council Member RCSI and access to expert surgical advice when they have a
Consultant Vascular Surgeon, University Hospital surgical emergency.
Limerick and St John’s Hospital, Limerick dealt with
the of governance in avoiding risk. Thank you
This is the final annual report of my term of office.
Professor Ian Robertson, Professor Emeritus in The 2020-2022 Council will be ably led by Professor
Psychology at Trinity College and Co-Director of P. Ronan O’Connell as President and Professor Laura
the Global Brain Health Institute delivered the 27th Viani as Vice President. I wish Professors O’Connell
Carmichael Lecture, entitled ‘The Era of the Mind’. and Viani every success in their respective roles,
The 42nd Millin Lecture, entitled particularly understanding the challenges that lie
‘Oeseophagogastric Cancer Surgery; no longer a ahead.
I wish to also thank the Fellows and Members of the
College. It has been a great honour to serve as
President of your College and I greatly value the
engagement we had during that time.
I also offer my sincerest gratitude and best wishes to
The clinical
the Chief Executive, Professor Cathal Kelly, Dean of
the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Professor Hannah McGee and their senior
programmes worked management team. In recent years, RCSI has made
enormous progress and enjoyed great success under
with the HSE and the their stewardship; achieving university status in 2020
is a milestone we can all be justifiably proud of. As
Department of Health we face into turbulent times, I am confident that with
their drive and dedication, RCSI will continue to
to develop guidelines deliver its mission of educating, nurturing and
discovering for the benefit of human health.
for a phased return
to planned surgical
services.
RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 7
8 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
Council members
Mr Kenneth Mealy Professor P. Ronan O’Connell Professor John Hyland
President, RCSI; Consultant Surgeon Vice President, RCSI; Emeritus Professor Immediate Past-President, RCSI; Consultant
(General), Wexford General Hospital of Surgery UCD; Consultant Surgeon, St Surgeon (General/Colorectal)
Vincent’s University Hospital
Professor Joseph G. O’Beirne Professor Paul Burke Professor Camilla Carroll
Consultant Surgeon (Trauma and Consultant Surgeon, Chief Academic Officer, Consultant Surgeon (Otolaryngology Head
Orthopaedic), University Hospital Waterford University of Limerick Hospital Group and Neck), Royal Victoria Eye and Ear
Hospital, Dublin and Blackrock Clinic.
Professor Kevin Conlon Professor K. Simon Cross Ms Bridget Egan
Professor of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin; Consultant Surgeon (Vascular/General), Consultant Surgeon (Vascular), Tallaght
Consultant Surgeon (General/HPB), St University Hospital Waterford University Hospital
Vincent’s University Hospital and Tallaght
University Hospital
Mr James Geraghty Professor David Healy Professor Thomas H. Lynch
Consultant Surgeon (General/Breast), St Consultant Surgeon (Cardiothoracic and Consultant Surgeon (Urological), St James’s
Vincent’s University Hospital; Associate Transplant), St Vincent’s University Hospital Hospital, National Lead ENT Education in
Professor in Surgery, UCD and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Primary CareRCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 9
The Hon. Mr Justice Peter Kelly Mr Paddy Kenny Professor Michael J. Kerin
President of the High Court Consultant Surgeon (Orthopaedic), Connolly Professor and Head of Surgery, NUI Galway;
Hospital Blanchardstown and The National Consultant Surgeon (Breast/ Endocrine/
Orthopaedic Hospital at Cappagh General), Galway University Hospital
Mr Eamon Mackle Professor Deborah McNamara Mr David Moore
Consultant Surgeon (General), Craigavon Consultant Surgeon (General/Colorectal), Consultant Surgeon (Trauma and
Area Hospital Beaumont Hospital and Co-Lead National Orthopaedics), Children’s Health Ireland,
Clinical Programme in Surgery Crumlin, Tallaght University Hospital and
Blackrock Clinic
Ms Margaret O’Donnell Mr David Quinlan Professor H. Paul Redmond
Consultant Surgeon (Plastic, Reconstructive Consultant Urologist, St Vincent’s Healthcare Professor and Chairman of the Department
and Aesthetic Surgery), Blackrock Clinic and Group of Surgery at UCC and Cork University
St Vincent’s Private Hospital Hospital Group
Roderick Ryan Professor Laura Viani
Chartered Accountant Consultant Otolaryngologist/Neuro-otologist;
Director of The National Hearing Implant and
Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital/RCSI10 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
A year in numbers
No. 1
TOP
250
TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION
WORLD UNIVERSITY
RANKINGS 2020
STAFF*
1,160
Students
from more
than 68
countries
4 overseas
campuses:
Malaysia (2),
Bahrain and
Dubai
469
surgical and emergency
9,600
Fellows and Members
medicine trainees across 86 countries
21,000 alumni in 94 countriesRCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 11
Innovation
29 collaborative
agreements with
industry signed
in 2019
€3.3m research
commercialisation
funding in 2019
9% Research
male
€20.9m grants
awarded 2019
36% Highest overall success
raduates
Und
26% female rate on H2020 submissions
ergraduates
female of any Irish university
Postg
Citation impact:
RCSI’s normalised citation
impact (2014-2018) is highest
in Ireland and twice the
29% male12 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
Chief
Executive’s
review
Professor Cathal Kelly, Chief Executive/ Registrar
I am pleased to present this report on RCSI’s activity during 2019/2020. The
COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the year in a way we could never have anticipated.
Since 1784, our mission of education, research and Our immediate priority was to ensure that our
service has guided our course. This holds true today students who were due to graduate were able to
more than ever. We remain dedicated to delivering complete their degrees so they could join the
world-class education to our students, to leveraging workforce to help meet the needs of our
our research capability to respond to address key communities nationally and internationally.
healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes
and to foster improvements in health and wellbeing For our final year medicine students in Dublin and
in Ireland and across the globe. Bahrain, this meant moving the clinical component of
their exams forward by seven weeks. The logistical
From January, Professor Sam McConkey began impact of this cannot be overstated and I am
alerting our senior management team to the need to immensely grateful to our colleagues who made this
think about business continuity in the event that possible. I am also hugely impressed with the manner
there would be an outbreak of COVID-19 in Ireland. with which our students coped with this change.
We quickly established a business continuity
planning group and, from that day, our focus has Our focus since has shifted to preparing for the
been on continuing to deliver a world-class 2020/2021 academic year. In early summer, we
education experience in the midst of very established a number of working groups tasked with
challenging and ever-changing circumstances. establishing robust safety measures in order to
protect the health and wellbeing of our students,
Education while ensuring that the quality of their educational
Once it became clear that universities in Ireland experience is not impacted.
would close for a period, our community mobilised
rapidly, providing for the continuity of education of We have made significant investment to ensure that
our undergraduate and postgraduate students, and students can enjoy an engaging on-campus
equipping our staff to work remotely. experience. This includes substantial investment in
health and safety measures and in creating a newRCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 13
satellite campus at Croke Park, where over 650 James O’Donnell is leading a study investigating why
students will continue their learning in smaller patients with COVID-19 develop blood clotting
learning communities. abnormalities; Professor Donal O’Shea is leading a
project on facial PPE sterilisation; Professor Bryan
These new communities will see our students taught in Hennessy is investigating if COVID-19 infection can
small groups. Students will benefit from a more be detected using exhaled breath condensate and
personalised learning experience and extracurricular/ Professor Zena Moore is leading a project on
co-curricular activities will also be based around these preventing facial pressure ulcers in healthcare staff.
learning communities. This initiative has accelerated
an ambition that is at the heart of the transformation Despite the logistical challenges to research posed
of our curricula that is currently underway and will by COVID-19 pandemic, the RCSI research
underpin the transformational education our students community had great success this year in terms of
will enjoy in the years to come. publications in top-tier journals, new industry
partnerships and grant funding, particularly for
Research clinical research and commercialisation. Our
It has been inspiring to see the global research researchers published a total of 1,017 PubMed
community respond to the pandemic and their indexed articles in 2019 communicating research
collective knowledge and understanding of the virus from a broad range of health science disciplines and
has grown enormously. Here in RCSI, our researchers achieved grant income of over €20 million and
pivoted quickly to leverage their knowledge in industry funding of over €2 million.
response.
Society
A number of our researchers were successful in As Ireland’s only singularly focused health sciences
securing funding from the national COVID-19 Rapid university and the country’s professional training
Response Funding Calls. For example, Professor body for surgery, we leveraged our expertise to
support the health service and bring critical
healthcare information to the public from the
beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This initiative has Between March and July, the HSE established a
accelerated an ambition network of contact tracing centres and developed a
national training programme for contact tracers. Over
that is at the heart of the 3,000 people registered with the HSE’s national
training programme which RCSI supported by quickly
transformation of our
providing an e-learning platform to support
nationwide online training and managed access to
the platform.
curricula.
Pictured in December 2019 on the occasion of RCSI being authorised to use the title of university in Ireland are Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of The Faculty of Medicine
and Health Sciences; then Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD; then Minister of State with responsibility for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD;
and Professor Cathal Kelly, Chief Executive.14 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
RCSI’s Department of General Practice was involved continuing efforts to attract excellent students,
in providing rapid evidence synthesis and reviews for researchers and staff and build our partnerships and
the National Public Health Emergency Team in the reputation internationally.
Department of Health. At the request of the HSE, the
National Office of Clinical Audit, based at RCSI, fast University rankings
tracked the implementation of a national bed Our number one ranking for ‘Good Health and
information system to provide real time updates on Well-being’ in the Times Higher Education University
all ICU Bed occupancy/ availability across the Impact Rankings 2020 was a fitting recognition of our
healthcare system, public and private. ongoing work to improve health and well-being in the
community. This recognition of our contribution to
A number of RCSI experts have been prominent in health and well-being was particularly meaningful for
advancing public understanding of COVID-19 the RCSI community at a critical time for global health
through media and political engagement. RCSI and as our staff and students faced, as they continue
Professor in Infectious Diseases Sam McConkey and to, the challenges of working and training in support of
Emeritus Professor in Population Health Ruairi Brugha the health service during the pandemic. RCSI is a
have been among Ireland’s leading voices on signatory to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
COVID-19 since it emerged last December and their accord and you will see how we contribute to these
media contributions and political briefings have global objectives throughout this report.
greatly influenced public understanding and opinion.
July 2019 marked 10 years of RCSI educating primary In the 2020 Times Higher Education World University
teachers in science through the Primary Science for Rankings, we maintained our strong position in the top
Teachers initiative (PSTI). Over 300 teachers have 250 universities in the world. In an increasingly
participated since 2009, bringing science-based competitive global education environment, this
learning and activities back to the classrooms of over performance is testament to the commitment and
6,000 students. innovation of our students, faculty, researchers and
professional staff.
RCSI’s Institute of Global Surgery is working with
local partners to develop sustainable surgical care Thank you
systems in low- and middle-income countries. In the This year, more than ever, I am immensely proud to be
past year the programme incorporated two new a graduate of, and now CEO, of this University.
projects. The Quality and Process Improvement in
Operating Theatres (QPOT) project is piloting in two We have a duty to support our healthcare systems
busy hospitals in Tanzania and Ethiopia aiming to around the world by training the next generation of
improve efficiency in surgical services and a new expert healthcare professionals who can join the
partnership with the College of Anaesthesiologists of workforce at this crucial time for global health. With
Ireland and CANECSA (College of Anaesthetists of the patient at the centre of everything we do, we
East, Central and Southern Africa) to address the remain dedicated to driving research which contributes
deficit in access to anesthesia for surgical patients in to the global response to the virus and we stand ready
Africa. to serve Ireland’s national effort in every way we can.
University status Recalling our final year medicine students who coped
In December, then Minister for Education and Skills admirably with their exams being moved forward, I
Joe McHugh and then Minister of State for Higher was impressed with and inspired by their resilience.
Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor announced that They give me great hope that the next generation of
RCSI is authorised to use the title of ‘university’ in healthcare leaders are exceptionally professional and
Ireland. This announcement marked a significant resilient. A large number of people are involved in
milestone in our journey, recognising our impact on educating our students and trainees. To the patients,
higher education in Ireland and internationally. The clinicians and staff of our teaching hospitals, thank you
title university will significantly contribute to our for your ongoing contribution and generosity.
The adaptability and collegiality of our staff gives me
great confidence for the future of RCSI. I want to thank
Our researchers pivoted each and every one of them for their efforts and good
humour in dealing with the challenges of a year that
quickly to leverage their none of us will ever forget.
knowledge in response
Finally, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Mr Kenneth
Mealy for the commitment and support he
to the pandemic.
demonstrated during his tenure as RCSI President. I
also extend my gratitude to my colleagues on the
Senior Management Team, and the RCSI Council, for
their ongoing support and guidance.RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 15
Senior management team
Professor Cathal Kelly Jennifer Cullinane Eunan Friel
Chief Executive/ Registrar Director of Finance Managing Director of
Healthcare Management
Aíne Gibbons Barry Holmes Abi Kelly Professor Hannah McGee
Director of Development, Director of Human Resources Director of International Dean of the Faculty of Medicine
Alumni Relations, Fellows Engagement and External and Health Sciences
and Members Relations
Michael McGrail Professor Fergal O’Brien Justin Ralph Kieran Ryan
Director of Corporate Strategy Director of Research and Chief Technology Officer Managing Director of Surgical
Innovation Affairs16 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
A year in pictures
July September November
Medical students take part RCSI welcomes more that Former US Ambassador to the
in the Student Innovation 560 new students during UN Samantha Power receives the
Challenge at the 10th RCSI Orientation Week. Emily Winifred Dickson Award.
Research Summer School.
August October December
Alumni visit the simulation Audience members enjoy RCSI celebrates
suite at 26 York Street participation in an RCSI authorisation to use
during the Alumni Gathering MyHealth Lecture on the title of university
celebrations. arthritis and joint health. in Ireland.RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 17
January March
800 second-level students Portraits unveiled of nine May
from across Ireland visit for trailblazing academic leaders Dr Caolán Reid celebrates
the annual Open Day. by photographer and RCSI Art graduating from the School
Award winner Amelia Stein. of Medicine virtual conferring
ceremony with his children.
February April June
WHO Director-General Dr Dónal Roche who achieved Medical student and
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus first place in final year captain of Dublin’s
receives Honorary Fellowship medicine celebrates the camogie team Róisín
of the RCSI Faculty of Nursing first RCSI Virtual Results Day Baker takes to the pitch in
and Midwifery. with his parents. Croke Park, a new satellite
campus for RCSI.18 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
The robotic surgery
fellowship will enable
me to treat patients
with advanced pelvic
cancer and support
my progression to
consultant.
Ms
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.RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 19
Surgery
Surgery20 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
Weekly webinar series
to update surgical
teams on COVID-19
74
Core Specialty
Trainees in
123
Core Surgical
Emergency Trainees
Medicine
2 Higher
2 Surgical
6 Trainees
46 Advanced Specialty Emergency
Medicine Trainees
573
Continuous Professional
Development Support
Scheme participantsRCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 21
Surgery
Surgery
With the advent of the COVID-19 crisis, we have witnessed
the emergence of an extraordinary global public health
challenge. While adhering to COVID-19 restrictions, the
Department of Surgical Affairs has adapted and reimagined
its services to provide optimum support to our colleagues
Kieran Ryan
Managing Director, Surgical Affairs on the front line.
As the community of healthcare professionals and The selection process commenced at the earlier date
society at large works together to understand and of Friday, 6 March, and was completed on Saturday,
address COVID-19 and its impacts, our objective has 14 March, in advance of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar
been to provide clarity, guidance and a comprehensive announcing the lockdown in Ireland on 27 March.
suite of resources for surgical trainees, surgeons in The quality of the process was maintained and
practice and their patients. subsequent feedback was excellent. In total, 60 core
surgical trainees and 43 higher surgical trainees were
As the COVID-19 crisis spread across the world during appointed, with all available places being filled.
February and March 2020, the Department of Surgical
Affairs was embarking on what is traditionally one of This initiative was marked by a co-operative
our busiest periods, driven in particular by the process approach from all concerned and an enhanced
of selecting trainees to our national programmes in sense of togetherness. Its success was a testament
both Core Surgical Training and Higher Training. to the hard work, pragmatism and dedication of the
specialties, the trainers and the trainees, as well as
We were conscious that our trainees would face the commitment and expertise of the Surgical Affairs
unprecedented challenges when COVID-19 patients team and the IT team in RCSI.
reached the hospitals, exacerbated by factors such as
heavy demands on ICUs, disruption of normal services
and an anxiety around the virus itself. Therefore,
Continuity of supports
with the crisis looming, we took the decision to bring and services
forward trainee interviews and selection by three weeks With the advent of the lockdown in Ireland,
in order to protect the integrity of the process and appropriate steps were taken to ensure that working
ensure it was completed satisfactorily. from home was supported for all 70 staff within
Surgical Affairs. Our IT systems were configured to
optimise remote access, while equipment and laptops
were supplied to employees as required.
Our objective has This enabled us to mitigate the disruptive effects
been to provide
of the lockdown on day-to-day activities, ensuring
that processes such as the appointments of trainees
to their posts and administrative work such as the
clarity, guidance and a planning of rotations could proceed.
comprehensive suite of Protecting trainee
progression
resources for surgical In response to the cancellation of surgical lists and
trainees, surgeons outpatient clinics, as well as the cancellation of
the MRCS and FRCS examinations, we moved to
in practice and their
quickly reassure trainees that these extraordinary
circumstances would be fully taken into account
patients.
in relation to their progress through the training
pathways.
Discussions with employers, regulators and agencies22 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
Pictured at the 2020 National Surgical Skills Competition for medical schools across the Island of Ireland are (l-r) Mr Kenneth Mealy, President; Sarah Shanahan (second
place); Ms Leonie Heskin Simulation Technology Development Lead in Postgraduate Surgical Education; Michael Towers, (third place); Prof. Oscar Traynor, Professor of
Postgraduate Surgical Education; and Abidur Rahman, winner of the competition.
involved in the delivery of surgical training regarding trainers. Face-to-face clinical skills work that could
promotion, competency and assessment were initiated not be delivered via digital platforms took place
and are ongoing to ensure that trainees are not in RCSI in July. The commitment and hard work of
disadvantaged. We have been working closely with all concerned ensured that Surgical Bootcamp was
the JCST (Joint Committee on Surgical Training), the completed in full and in compliance with COVID-19
advisory body to the four surgical Royal Colleges of restrictions on social distancing.
Ireland and the UK, for all matters related to surgical
training to mitigate to the greatest extent possible the One of the most significant developments that arose
impact of COVID-19 on training delivery. from our COVID-19 response was the accelerated
adoption of digital platform solutions, driven by our
All the bodies involved in surgical training are working surgical specialities, to address training challenges
together to find the safest and most pragmatic presented by the pandemic. These digital solutions
solutions to the current situation. Detailed plans proved highly effective and are set to become a
are being prepared to address all foreseeable more permanent feature of training delivery into the
contingencies, and we are continually updating future.
information on all aspects of training, with a view
to providing trainers and trainees with the greatest
possible levels of clarity and certainty.
Supporting surgeons
in practice
As the community prevalence of COVID-19 fell, the
Surgical Bootcamp demands on critical healthcare resources declined
The delivery of the annual summer Surgical Bootcamp, from May onwards, and the risk of acquiring
an intensive tuition in basic surgical skills and basic COVID-19 in the perioperative period also declined.
management principles for surgical patients, was The RCSI National Clinical Programmes in Surgery
reimagined to align with COVID-19 restrictions. and Trauma and Orthopaedics worked with the
HSE and the Department of Health on developing
The Surgical Bootcamp trainers and education leads guidelines for a phased return to planned surgical
adapted the training elements of the programme and services while also formulating a recovery plan. The
the accompanying lecture-based content for delivery acute hospitals subgroup of the Expert Advisory
online. Group to the National Public Health Emergency
Team (NPHET), which Professor Deborah McNamara,
Innovative, take-home skills kits were provided, Joint National Clinical Lead, National Clinical
whereby trainees were supplied with essential Programme in Surgery (NCPS) sits on, developed
equipment that enabled them to practice skills at home protocols for elective surgery pathways, which
while being guided, observed and instructed online by NPHET approved.RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 23
Surgery
Measures were implemented to minimise the risk of As part of this suite of initiatives, RCSI hosted a weekly
acquiring COVID-19 through careful planning of patient webinar series that updated surgical teams on the
pathways, screening of patients prior to surgery and latest developments and their implications for surgical
thorough discussions with patients of the additional practice. The series commenced in April. The webinars
risks involved. Guidance on these matters was facilitated a sharing of experiences and expertise,
developed by the NCPS and RCSI, and this detailed providing valuable information and updates on:
guidance was regularly updated on the RCSI website. adaptations in surgical practice to deal with COVID-19,
the type of patient presentations that were being seen,
and the challenges faced by the different specialties
Curated resources in organising patient services and dealing with
The Department of Surgical Affairs collated a series of emergencies.
curated resources for surgeons in practice, trainees and
other professionals involved in frontline patient care The series proved highly successful and will be
during the COVID-19 epidemic. The suite of resources established as a permanent service beginning in
was, and continues to be, reviewed and updated September 2020.
regularly to address the evolving circumstances. Other resources provided include:
• publications and national guidelines on the evolving
management of patient and safety precautions to be
All the bodies involved taken by surgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic,
developed by RCSI National Clinical Programmes, in
in surgical training are
conjunction with individual and institutional partners;
• the collation of a selection of resources on COVID-19
working together to
by the RCSI Library, including search strategies
for medical databases, government websites and
national healthcare websites; and,
find the safest and most • GP-Surgeons Connect, an initiative by RCSI and
the ICGP which provided rapid connection of GPs
pragmatic solutions to with surgeon advisors to enhance facilitation of safe
management of their patients – the service operated
the current situation. for 12 weeks during the height of the COVID-19
emergency.
Pictured at RCSI’s Charter Day Meetings in February 2020 were Mr Kenneth Mealy, President; Laura Magahy, Executive Director of Sláintecare Implementation Office;
and Dr Tony Sparnon, President, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.24 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
Mariam Gasim and Dr Yazan Mammud (MRCSI) pictured at the July 2019 Conferring Ceremony
Positive mental health that individuals can cope and be at their best,
RCSI recognises that healthcare professionals will personally and professionally. These include a
face many stressful situations during and after guide to websites providing relevant information
the COVID-19 crisis and has facilitated access to and advice, access to health and well-being
resources that can provide support in ensuring podcasts and videos, and a guide to online self-
help groups.
Beyond the COVID-19
The Department of response
Surgical Affairs collated
While the reporting period was dominated by
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and our
responses to the challenges it has presented, we
a series of curated continued to deliver, where possible, significant
advances in our strategic objectives for surgical
resources for surgeons training and practice.
in practice, trainees Mentorship programme
for trainees
and other professionals In February 2020, we launched a mentorship
involved in frontline
programme for trainees across all the specialties.
Developed in consultation with the Irish Surgical
patient care during the
Training Group, the programme represents an
expansion of a mentorship initiative that had been
running in the trauma and orthopaedics specialty
COVID-19 epidemic. for some years.RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 25
Surgery
RCSI welcomed the first
intake to the Masters
in Surgical Science
and Practice degree
programme.
Christina Buckley,
Specialist Trainee
The working group that drove this initiative was I am a Plastic Surgery Specialist Registrar in my
chaired by Mr David Moore, Council Member and penultimate year of Specialist Training (ST7).
Orthopaedic Surgeon, and the programme proved to
be a positive and timely development, particularly in Initially the COVID-19 pandemic brought about
light of the COVID-19 crisis. The programme provides a huge change in surgical practice with an
opportunities for trainees to engage with senior people initial complete halt in operative activity as well
who can help guide them in decisions around their as instantaneous virtual outpatient practice.
career choices in these uncertain times. Thankfully, a large percentage of surgical trainees
were in a position to operate alongside their
PROGRESS Women consultants in private institutions and model
3 hospitals during the outsourcing of elective
in Surgery Fellowship surgical work during the pandemic which allowed
In February, Ms Ailín Rogers, FRCSI, was announced as some semblance of ongoing training. However,
the recipient of the first PROGRESS Women in Surgery deferral of Intercollegiate examinations and
Fellowship. The award will enable Ms Rogers to fellowship opportunities abroad have negatively
commence a fellowship at the Royal Marsden Hospital impacted a significant number of surgical
in London in robotic colorectal surgery and multi- trainees. Overall, as this pandemic continues
visceral resection for advanced pelvic malignancy. to affect every aspect of life, the real impact of
This prestigious new bursary, funded by Johnson & COVID-19 on surgical training remains to be seen
Johnson Medical Devices Companies, aims to give over the coming years.
women surgeons the opportunity to gain exceptional
experience in their chosen field, supporting their During the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year,
progression to consultant. I was President of the Irish Surgical Training
Group. The Department of Surgical Affairs in RCSI
Masters in Surgical Science through Kieran Ryan and Padraig Kelly offered
ongoing and genuine support to the entire
and Practice surgical trainee group. They regularly liaised and
In September 2019, RCSI welcomed the first intake to updated us on current issues and events as the
the Masters in Surgical Science and Practice (MSSP) pandemic unfolded. A COVID-19 resource hub
degree programme. The inaugural class completed was rapidly established which provided a series of
the MSSP programme in May 2020. Designed and led helpful resources for surgeons as well as a weekly
by Professor Oscar Traynor, the programme covers the webinar series on the most up to date information
entire curriculum for Core Surgical Training, as defined regarding COVID-19. RCSI specifically hosted
by the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme, a webinar on how to sustain surgical training
in one year. during the COVID-19 pandemic which allowed
the trainees to give their perspective in this very
important conversation.
››› Read about the Institute of Global Surgery
on page 60 RCSI’s commitment to searching for solutions over
the coming months to ensure that no surgical
trainee will be disadvantaged by the implications
››› For RCSI Postgraduate Surgical Awards of COVID-19 has been very reassuring during this
2020, see page 91 uncertain time.26 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
The teaching faculty
and the wider RCSI
community worked
vigorously to ensure the
seamless transition from
face-to-face teaching to
online lectures.
Ph
ys
io t
he
ra p
yS
tu
de E
nt
, C mm
la s a H
s o or
f 2 an,
02
0RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 27
learning experience
A transformative
02
transformative
A
learning
experience28 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
Virtual TeleSim
programme to simulate
clinical undergraduate
training
Accelerated development
of learning communities
70 faculty
‘super-users’
to enhance
delivery of
technological
solutions
100%
return rate to
undergraduate
census in
1st
virtual International
COVID-19 crisis Education Forum
3,500 one-to-one personal
consultations with
CoMPPAS teamRCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 29
A transformative
learning experience
learning experience
A transformative
The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences adapted to
Professor Hannah McGee
the impact of COVID-19 quickly and effectively to maintain
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine
and Health Sciences continuity of education across its Schools.
A fast, effective response
When COVID-19 measures were implemented, the
faculty was optimally positioned to maximise online
availability of educational programmes and student
services. This was facilitated to a great extent by
RCSI’s long-standing pro-active technology policy
which encourages early adoption of innovative
solutions, exemplified by initiatives such as the
provision of a laptop for every student.
Another factor that accelerated adaptation to the
new ‘normal’ was the establishment of a 70-strong
group of tech-adept colleagues across the faculty.
These ‘super-users’ acted as a bridge between
the IT Department and the wider academic and
professional staff, enhancing the efficiency of our
delivery of technological solutions.
The imagination and tenacity demonstrated by
faculty staff in supporting students, particularly
those facing final examinations and completing
degree courses, were crucial factors in the success
of our COVID-19 response. Those qualities, for
example, underpinned the decision to fast-track
our clinical examinations in order to ensure
that students graduated as safe and capable
health professionals. Our students reacted to
this extraordinary, but necessary, measure with
forbearance and flexibility, illustrating the depth of
trust between them and our clinicians, academics
and professional staff. Reflecting the serious
commitment of all concerned, the main final clinical
examinations for medicine were completed by
12 March, prior to the introduction of the Irish
Government’s COVID-19 measures.
Dedication to excellence
Attaining a long-held objective, RCSI was granted
university status in December 2019. All of the
In November 2019 medical student Suaad Alshleh was awarded the Professor William C Schools at the Faculty of Medicine and Health
Campbell Bursary, which recognises the work of the Donegal Nobel Prize winner, by then
Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD.
Sciences contributed to this success, not only30 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
during the years since the granting of degree-
awarding status in 2010, but through decades
of consistent accomplishment. The volume and
standard of the National Qualifications Framework
Level 9 and Level 10 research degrees were
particularly important in this landmark achievement
and the School of Postgraduate Studies is to be
commended for its contribution.
The delivery of Transforming Healthcare Education
Project (THEP) 2, scheduled for September 2022,
advanced significantly, driven by the third annual
planning workshop held in October 2019, and the
Ninth International Education Forum held in June
2020, which focused on innovation in education. The
Forum took place in a virtual format that was very
successful. Increased accessibility and engagement
for more of our colleagues in international sites was Javed Machikan, Medicine,
a benefit of this format and a good lesson for the
future.
Class of 2020 and RCSI
Student Union President
Much like the butterfly effect, many seemingly
minute decisions can go on to change your life
forever. RCSI’s decision to expedite our final
medical exams brought with it a hurricane of
emotions and events that swept across, not only
Honorary Doctorates the class of 2020, but across Ireland as a whole.
RCSI Honorary Doctorates are awarded to recognise people
who have made an outstanding contribution to society and each I still remember hearing the Head of School of
recipient makes a commencement address at the RCSI graduation Medicine saying that our final med exams will be
ceremony to inspire our new graduates. Two honorary doctorates
in three days and the feelings of fear and despair
were conferred at Postgraduate Academic Award ceremonies in
that ensued. It is only in retrospect that I realise
November 2019.
the courage and foresight needed to make such a
bold decision.
Professor Adrienne Flanagan
was honoured for her research
By allowing us to complete our exams months
contributions to the molecular
classification for primary bone in advance, RCSI guaranteed that we would
tumours resulting in the introduction not only be able to graduate on time but
of diagnostics markers, which are more importantly be ready for the impending
now used globally. A graduate pandemic.
of RCSI (Medicine, 1981), she is
Head of Academic Pathology at The latter feat was far more important to my
UCL, Clinical Lead for the London classmates and I. We felt so frustrated knowing
Sarcoma Service and the Royal
that our fellow healthcare workers were being
National Orthopaedic Hospital
overwhelmed by the health crisis of a lifetime, yet
and Head of the Bone Pathology
Network UK. we were only one step away from joining them on
the frontlines.
Dr David Ansell was recognised
for his research and advocacy to Over the past few years and certainly the past
eliminate health inequities. Dr few months, RCSI has taught me what it actually
Ansell is the Presidential Professor means to be leaders in healthcare. And, although
of Internal Medicine and Senior I never got my chance at a formal graduation,
Vice President/Associate Provost I truly felt more pride walking into Connolly
for Community Health Equity at Hospital on my first day as a doctor, than I ever
Rush University Medical Center would walking across any stage.
in Chicago. His books include
“County: Life, Death and Politics at
Chicago’s Public Hospital” and “The
Death Gap: How Inequality Kills.RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 31
Professor Arnold Hill
Head of School of Medicine
learning experience
A transformative
School of Medicine for COVID-19 patients in intensive care units in
In unprecedented circumstances, the School of Beaumont and Connolly hospitals. Their primary role
Medicine has acted with decisiveness and agility, was to administer the prone positioning technique,
adapting to the challenges presented by the spread of completely repositioning intubated patients by lifting
COVID-19 while identifying opportunities to accelerate and turning them every 16 hours, thereby helping
the delivery of a transformed healthcare education them breathe more easily.
experience for students.
When the volunteers were stood down after three
Pragmatic response months as circumstances improved, the intensive
In early February, expert opinion on the implications care unit clinicians whom they had worked alongside
of the spread of COVID-19 led us to take the commended their selfless contribution.
unprecedented step of bringing forward final
examinations for our medical students. The move was Transforming learning
taken to minimise disruption to educational continuity, While COVID-19 has presented many challenges,
avoid delays in the graduation of the final year class and it has also accelerated several of the educational
ensure the examination process proceeded in a safe initiatives that were already under consideration
and orderly manner. or underway within the first part of the two-phase
Transforming Healthcare Education Project (THEP).
Our students responded with a positive, pragmatic For example, we have ramped up the development
attitude that facilitated the successful graduation of of learning communities, whereby the traditional class
the class of 2020 and enabled them to join the frontline is reimagined as a collection of small communities,
of healthcare as qualified doctors to help combat with the students within each community progressing
the global pandemic. It was an inspiring example together for the duration of their RCSI experience. We
of the University’s ability to adapt even in the most have taken the opportunity, inadvertently presented
challenging circumstances. by the COVID-19 crisis, to drive the implementation of
small group teaching in recent months, and all tutorials
Extraordinary contribution are now limited to a maximum of three students.
In April, echoing the adaptability and dedication
shown by our final year students, a group of more The impact of the pandemic has only served to
than two dozen RCSI medical students volunteered underline the critical importance of the transformative
to work alongside frontline healthcare workers caring direction we have taken with THEP. Inevitably, some
elements of the next phase of THEP will differ from
what was planned prior to COVID-19. However,
the strategic vision that drives the project has
It was an inspiring demonstrated its fitness for purpose during the last
four months and will guide us as we pilot key initiatives
example of the
in preparation for delivery of THEP 2 by September
2022.
University’s ability to
adapt even in the
most challenging
circumstances.32 RCSI ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
Professor Tracy Robson
Head of School of Pharmacy
and Biomolecular Sciences
School of Pharmacy and Exam so that they will be able to safely undertake
Biomolecular Sciences their final assessment and enter the workforce as the
first graduates from the five-year integrated MPharm
The past academic year has been one of significant Programme. Similarly, the final year of the National
change with the merger of the School of Pharmacy with Pharmacy Internship Programme was completed,
the Department of Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics and provisions were made for the final Professional
to become the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Registration Examination for these students.
Sciences.
During this time, the MPharm Programme underwent
The merger has created a critical mass of teaching and full accreditation, and the PSI continued to grant
research, allowing it to further evolve into a vibrant recognition of the programme for the maximum five
centre for the education of tomorrow’s leaders. The year period. The accreditation team commended
school has developed a new five year strategic plan, the evidence-informed approach to curriculum
focused on growth and complementing the wider RCSI development, the state-of-the-art simulation suite
Strategy. The school is committed to becoming one of and the commitment of simulation suite staff in
the leading centres for pharmacy and health sciences supporting the school in its plans for innovative
education. teaching. The team also commended the range of
research opportunities for students and the positive
The School has now rolled out the final year of the and collaborative relationships evident between staff,
MPharm programme, with students undertaking reflecting the success of the merger. Our innovations in
post-graduate level, full-time taught modules before teaching were also recognised by the National Forum
embarking on an eight-month period of patient- for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education through
facing experiential learning. During their time on the award of Ireland’s inaugural Teaching and Learning
placement, our students rose to the challenge of being Research Fellowship to Dr Michelle Flood.
frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acknowledged by the Pharmaceutical Society of The school had a rapid response to the COVID-19
Ireland (PSI) as core members of the pharmacy team, pandemic. The staff of the School worked tirelessly
students opted to work additional hours to provide to ensure academic standards were maintained in
healthcare services. We are very proud of our students accordance with QQI and PSI requirements, balanced
and have worked with APPEL and the other schools of with a no detriment approach for students. We
pharmacy to redesign the final Professional Registration continue to plan for the safe return to education for
all our students, and are committed to providing an
engaged learning environment.
As part of its growth phase, the School of Pharmacy
and Biomolecular Sciences is building on our significant
research and teaching expertise to develop new
innovative programmes for postgraduate students.
These programmes will give further options to
students to upskill for roles in the pharmaceutical
and biopharmaceutical industry or act as a pathway
to PhD research. Similarly, other programmes will
offer development opportunities for healthcare
professionals to prepare them to face the challenges
of an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
International outlook is important to us, and we
continue to pursue our collaboration with Soochow
University, China, through delivery of our international
MPharm student, Aoife Ní Mhuircheartaigh, providing frontline care while on her Year 5 Clinical Pharmacy programme as well as broadening
placement.
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